Whyte's overtime field goal earns Lions 41-38 victory over Ticats
Whyte capped B.C.'s first overtime possession with his game-winning boot. Hamilton had the opening possession but former Ticat DeWayne Hendrix recovered Tim White's fumble following a completion, to the dismay of the Hamilton Stadium gathering of 29,012.
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The Province
21 minutes ago
- The Province
Who's the easiest B.C. Lion to cheer for? Here's a vote for Andrew Peirson
Offensive lineman who's so good in the community is taking advantage of this latest stint of playing time Get the latest from Steve Ewen straight to your inbox B.C. Lions offensive lineman Andrew Peirson. Andrew Peirson is an easy guy to root for. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Peirson is expected to make his sixth-straight start at centre for the B.C. Lions when they visit the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday (12 p.m.) at BMO Field. It will be the 28th career start with the club and the 79th game of Peirson's seven-year CFL run with the Lions. He has been the ever-understanding understudy since joining the Lions as a undrafted free agent out of NCAA Div. II Gannon University in Erie, Penn., waiting his turn and trying to take advantage of those playing time opportunities when they have arisen. Peirson made five starts at centre as a rookie in 2018, and he has gotten cracks at starting at both right and left guard since, including 13 starts at left guard in 2023. Through it all, the product of Kingston, Ont., has been an ardent spokesperson for the Lions with the general public, both during the campaign and in the off-season. He won the team's Jamie Taras Award for community involvement in four of the past five seasons. He is bound to be in the mix again for this time around, considering that in June it was Peirson receiving a King Charles III Coronation Award for his efforts at raising awareness for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. B.C. has hounded by injuries to the offensive line this year, with starters like centre Michael Couture (hand) and tackle Dejon Allen (triceps) among those on the sidelines currently. Andrew Peirson at B.C. Lions training camp at Hillside Stadium in Kamloops on May 11, 2025. Photo by Brian Johnson / B.C. Lions Going into this week, the Lions have given up a league-low 10 sacks, and they are first in the CFL in average gain per carry (5.8 yards). That's a statement about the efforts of quarterback Nathan Rourke and running back James Butler, but it's also a statement about the play of the offensive line and guys like Peirson. The Lions (5-5) are aiming for a third straight win when they face the Argonauts (2-8). 'I'm not going to lie and say that it's not hard to always the stay the course,' Peirson, 30, explained about his time in a back-up role. 'But it's also about believing in yourself and having that support from my family and my fiancee (Caleigh McGhee), who all believe in me. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Personally, I have a goal: I want to win a Grey Cup and I want to do it with this group. I love this organization. They keep bringing me back. Believing in myself, working hard and putting myself in a position to be successful around a great group of guys — you can't ask for anything better.' Allen, 31, who was a key trade pick-up from the Argonauts in the off-season, has missed the past seven games. Couture, 31, who was one of B.C.'s top free agent additions ahead of the 2023 season after a six-year turn with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, has been out the past five games. B.C. has a bye next week, and head coach Buck Pierce isn't ruling out the idea that the Lions will have more healthy offensive linemen to pick from when they visit the Ottawa Redblacks on Sept. 5. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It's difficult to guess what all that could mean for Peirson, although betting against him being a factor on the field big picture has proven a fool's errand. 'Did I think about how much I was going to play this season? It's interesting the wording of that,' Peirson said when asked about his preparation for this year. 'I didn't know how much I was going to play, but was I preparing every single day to play? Yes. 'What's going to happen is going to happen. I'm going to do everything mentally and physically to make sure that when my opportunity comes it's not going to be taken away. I think that's what it comes down to.' B.C. Lions offensive lineman Andrew Peirson (centre) with his parents, Steve and Daniela. Photo by Handout Pierce praises Peirson for 'how he goes about his business and his willingness to help wherever need.' 'He loves the process of football,' Pierce added. 'He loves learning. I think he's going to be a great coach if he wants to go that route. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'He's just the type of guy you want on your offensive line. And how he interacts with every position group is great to see.' Peirson popped the marriage question to McGhee three weeks ago, during a trip to Tofino while the Lions were on their bye week. She's a neonatal intensive care nurse in Toronto. Peirson talks about how they have found ways to make their relationship work while they both chase after their career goals. Didn't we mention earlier that this was an easy story to cheer for? 'It makes everything so much easier when I have someone in my corner that says, 'Let's go get it,'' Peirson explained. 'I need to give her all the flowers. She's right over my shoulder the whole time saying, 'You got it, you got it,' and maybe the odd, 'I can't believe you aren't playing more.' 'It definitely all boils down to having my partner in crime.' @SteveEwen SEwen@ Read More Vancouver Whitecaps Local News Local News Vancouver Canucks Local News
Ottawa Citizen
4 hours ago
- Ottawa Citizen
Alouettes defenders strive to give struggling offence room to breathe
Article content Against B.C. last Saturday, quarterback Nathan Rourke had little difficulty on the opening possession, moving his team effortlessly from its own 24-yard line to the Montreal 16 before he threw a pair of incompletions and the team settled for a short field goal. The Lions weren't forced to punt until the third quarter, while Rourke didn't throw his first second-half incompletion until the final three minutes. Article content The Canadian quarterback passed for 382 yards and four touchdowns. Article content 'Early in the B.C. game, we had an opportunity to make a play on a ball and didn't come up with it,' Thorpe said. 'Those can change the tide of a game, change the course of how a quarterback feels and the comfort level he has to make certain throws. Now, he can take a little bit more of a chance, which you saw the last couple of games. We had opportunities to make plays and didn't, for whatever reason. Article content Article content 'But we put a ton of pressure (on Rourke) the last game. We have to be efficient on each and every down. We want to live in a world where we're affecting the quarterback, not giving up explosive plays, and have the opportunity to turn the ball over and give it back to our offence in advantageous field position. Those are the pillars of what we've always looked for and the standards we look to perform to.' Article content A year ago, Beverette was outstanding and was a double nominee as most outstanding player and defensive player of the year after recording 102 tackles, five sacks, four forced fumbles and two interceptions. Article content After 10 games this season, Beverette continues to make plays. He has three sacks, two interceptions and a pair of forced fumbles, although he's recorded a modest 37 tackles. Beverette intercepted Rourke in the first quarter last week — the Als failed to capitalize on the turnover — and also had a sack. Article content 'I'm my own worst critic,' he said. 'Even last year, I felt like I could have done more. I'm heavily involved in the game plan, so I'm not going to be as free as much. Last game, I was able to make some plays. I believe it's going to come.'
Vancouver Sun
2 days ago
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke back at the top of his game
SURREY — James Butler isn't surprised when he watches Nathan Rourke successfully lob a 49-yard pass up the field. It's what the running back has come to expect from the B.C. Lions star quarterback. 'To me, that's just Nate being Nate. It's on brand for Nate,' Butler said at the team's training facility in Surrey on Tuesday. 'I've been saying this since I met him — whenever No. 12 is back there, he just gives you a chance.' After struggling in his return to the CFL last season, Rourke is back at the top of his game. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The 27-year-old Canadian earned player of the week honours for leading the Lions to a decisive 36-18 victory over the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday. Rourke has shown 'steady growth' this season and the player of the week nod shows the team's entire offence has been clicking, said Lions head coach Buck Pierce. 'I think the guys around him are performing at a high level as well,' he said. 'And when quarterbacks receive that type of honour, it means a lot of guys around him are performing well, too.' Rourke connected on 26 of his 34 pass attempts Saturday, throwing for 382 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. The performance marked his sixth 300-plus yard game of the season and the fourth time he's thrown multiple TD passes in his last five starts. 'Great leader, great quarterback, great man. Aspire to be like him in a few ways,' said Lions receiver Keon Hatcher, who leads the league in receiving yards (878), receptions (54) and targets (85). 'Nate's done great. Excited to see how he can finish this season. He's a great leader. He does a great job in and out of the huddle and I just can't wait to see what the future holds.' Since returning from an oblique injury on July 5, Rourke has averaged 352 passing yards per game. He currently sits third in the CFL for most passing yards (2,686) this season behind Bo Levi Mitchell of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (3,057) and Nick Arbuckle of the Toronto Argonauts (3,033), and is third in TD passes (16). The success follows a difficult end to the 2024 campaign. Rourke wasn't in the CFL to start the season, working instead to find a permanent home in the NFL. Last August, he re-signed with B.C. — the team where he had a breakout campaign in 2022 and earned most-outstanding Canadian honours — taking over for the injured Vernon Adams Jr. The homegrown talent went 3-5, throwing four touchdowns and nine interceptions and B.C. finished the regular season with a 9-9 record. The Lions were ousted from the West semifinal by the Saskatchewan Roughriders . B.C. opted to stick with Rourke moving forward and dealt Adams to the Calgary Stampeders during the off-season. The club also brought in Pierce — a former CFL quarterback himself — as head coach. While the Lions (5-5) lost three straight games early this season, they've recently rebounded and won two straight, thanks in part to a dynamic offence where Rourke and his teammates constantly keep their opponents guessing. Part of what makes the offence work is trust, said Butler, who leads the CFL in rushing yards (785). 'I feel like every time we go out there, I always say, 'got your back,'' he said. 'Playing with him just makes it so much easier. Like I said, with Number 12 next to me, there's a chance. I know I'm gonna block a D lineman, a D tackle, I'm gonna block dudes, three, four times my size as long as it protects 12.' While Butler and Rourke started building their bond back in 2021 and 2022 when they were both with B.C., this year the entire offensive crew has built a special chemistry. 'It's definitely a tight knit group,' said the running back. 'And I feel like it only makes it better that anybody at any time can make a big play. That's a cool thing. And I feel like guys making big plays only makes us all want to make big plays.' There's still room too grow, too, said Rourke. The entire offence wants to limit how many penalties they take and how many turnovers they give up, and they're working to get points on the board faster to ease the pressure for their teammates on defence. Progress comes week by week, the QB said. 'At this point, I'm just trying to stack games and trying to feel better, more comfortable every week,' Rourke said. 'And I've just been enjoying learning from the guys and from Buck. And I like that the level of comprehension of the offence is just kind of growing every week.' The Lions will face the Argonauts (2-8) in Toronto on Saturday.
